New Orleans BANANAS FOSTER BREAD PUDDING

This is a recipe from a New Orleans restaurant that recently went out of business after 40+ years of service.  It was their most popular dessert.

Ingredients for the BREAD PUDDING

4 ————— large eggs
2 cups ——– whole milk
¼ cup ——– brown sugar
2 tspn ——– vanilla extract
1 Tblspn —– dark rum
1 Tblspn —– kosher salt
6 cups ——- cubed brioche
1 Tblspn —– white sugar
5 ————– very ripe bananas (with brown spots) cut into coins

Directions for the BREAD PUDDING

1)- Preheat oven to 350.

2)- In a large bowl, whisk together the first six ingredients; eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, rum and salt.

3)- Add the bread to the bowl. Lightly stir so that it absorbs the liquid. Set aside to soak.

4)- Butter a 2-quart baking dish, and place it on a baking sheet. Line the bottom of the baking dish with a single layer of banana coins.

5)- Spoon half of the soaked bread over them.

6)- Add the rest of the banana coins. The spoon the remaining soaked bread over the top.

7)- Bake for 40 minutes. Then sprinkle with the tablespoon of white sugar. Continue baking until the pudding is puffed and golden on top (about an additional 10-20 minutes) .

Note: I’ve made many types of bread puddings and I ALWAYS have raisins in them. So, I will be adding ¼ to ½ cup mixed-raisins to the recipe.

Ingredients for the SAUCE

5 Tblspn —— butter, unsalted
½ cup ——— brown sugar
¼ cup ——— heavy cream
½ cup ——— dark rum
1 tspn ———- kosher salt

Directions for the SAUCE

1)- Melt the butter in a small sauce set over medium heat.

2)- Add the remaining four ingredients; brown sugar, cream, rum and salt. Whisk until combined. Simmer, constantly whisking until the sauce has thickened (about 5 to 8 minutes). Remove from heat and keep warm.

NOTE: I love cinnamon (the miracle spice), so I will add 1 teaspoon cinnamon to the sauce.

SERVING

Serve the pudding warm, with some of the sauce drizzled over the top, alongside high quality vanilla ice cream.

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This is NOT the picture that was in the magazine article, but should give you an idea. The recipe is quite different (I’m sure I’ll try that one also), and can be found here;

http://www.foodista.com/blog/2012/09/17/dynamite-banana-foster-bread-pudding

bread pudding